Hoyer: UJC ‘does God’s work’

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House majority leader said United Jewish Communities "does God’s work."

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), speaking Tuesday at a Capitol Hill reception during the two-day UJC Leadership Summit, said "your country thanks you" for helping to make "our communities just and repairing the world." He also told the group of about two dozen UJC leaders that one of the reasons he regularly leads trips of his fellow members of Congress to Israel is to show them the spirit of Israelis.

"If Americans were as on fire about protecting their nation, working in their community, responding to their country’s call," Hoyer said, "America would be a more successful place."

The UJC group met Tuesday with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and dined Tuesday evening at the residence of the outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor.